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First glimpse of sperm whale birth reveals teamwork to support newborn Thu, 26 Mar 2026 18:00:42 +0000 A female sperm whale has been filmed giving birth for the first time, supported by 10 adult females who lifted the calf out of the water and protected it from predators

Fossils discovered in Egypt may be the closest ancestor of all apes Thu, 26 Mar 2026 18:00:12 +0000 Pieces of jawbone and teeth found in Egypt have been identified as a new early ape species named Masripithecus moghraensis, which lived about 17 million years ago

Computer finds flaw in major physics paper for first time Thu, 26 Mar 2026 14:56:44 +0000 A computer language designed to robustly verify mathematical theorems and expose logical flaws has been turned towards a physics paper – and spotted an error. The discovery raises questions about how many other papers may harbour similar issues

A variety of jungle animals all use one type of tree as a latrine Thu, 26 Mar 2026 10:00:58 +0000 In the cloud forest of Costa Rica, many canopy-dwelling animals do their business in strangler fig trees, perhaps as a way of leaving messages

The Selfish Gene: Still one of the most thrilling evolution books ever Wed, 25 Mar 2026 11:00:01 +0000 Fifty years ago, Richard Dawkins shared an irresistible scientific metaphor with the world that modernised and democratised evolutionary biology. Half a century on, The Selfish Gene remains powerfully insightful, finds Rowan Hooper

Temperature gets a new definition using a quantum device Thu, 26 Mar 2026 08:00:24 +0000 A device that relies on quantum effects and oversized atoms may be a more reliable way to measure temperature that doesn't require calibration

What to read this week: the persuasive How Flowers Made Our World Wed, 25 Mar 2026 18:00:00 +0000 We shouldn't dismiss flowers as merely ornamental – these blooms are world-changers, argues a vivid new book by David George Haskell. Michael Marshall is mostly convinced

How big is a 'shedload'? Let's ask the nuclear physicists Wed, 25 Mar 2026 18:00:00 +0000 Feedback is prompted by readers to investigate the size of the shed in the term 'shedload', and gets down and dirty with particle physics in the quest

Meta and YouTube fined $3 million for harming mental health Wed, 25 Mar 2026 20:52:03 +0000 In a landmark trial, social media giants Meta and YouTube were found negligent and ordered to pay for harming a user's mental health. The decision could force major changes in how social platforms work

The brain's cleaning system can be boosted to rid Alzheimer's proteins Wed, 25 Mar 2026 17:00:53 +0000 A duo of drugs that boosts our glymphatic system, which clears waste from our brain, also improves the removal of proteins associated with the onset of Alzheimer's disease

Oldest known dog extends the genetic history of our canine companions Wed, 25 Mar 2026 16:00:53 +0000 The remains of dogs from more than 14,000 years ago have been found in Turkey and the UK, revealing that domesticated animals were spread across Europe by hunter-gatherers

How working out like an astronaut can reduce back pain and slow ageing Wed, 25 Mar 2026 16:00:33 +0000 The same principles that help astronauts stay strong in microgravity can help us all resist the slow collapse of ageing – and it’s not all about hitting the gym more

Landmark experiment reveals a big unexpected problem with cloning Wed, 25 Mar 2026 14:44:47 +0000 A 20-year study has shown that, like photocopying photocopies, cloning doesn't produce perfect copies – with big implications for farming, conservation and de-extinction

Ancient bones reveal vivid details of a Neanderthal elephant hunt Wed, 25 Mar 2026 11:54:28 +0000 Researchers have re-analysed a set of elephant bones and a wooden spear found in Germany in 1948, which provide compelling evidence of Neanderthals' big game hunting abilities

Cancer-causing chemical found to be leaking from gas cookers Wed, 25 Mar 2026 07:00:26 +0000 One in 10 homes tested in the UK, Italy and the Netherlands have dangerous levels of benzene because of slow leaks from gas hobs and ovens

Earth may have formed from two separate rings around the sun Tue, 24 Mar 2026 18:00:35 +0000 Our solar system’s rocky planets – Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars – may have formed from two rings around the young sun, rather than a single disc

Cystitis or tooth decay could trigger dementia just a few years later Tue, 24 Mar 2026 18:00:24 +0000 Infections are increasingly being linked to a higher risk of dementia. In the latest research, scientists have found that being treated in hospital for a severe infection seems to raise the risk of developing the condition over the next five to six years

The shocking fossils that show T. rex wasn't the king of the dinosaurs Tue, 24 Mar 2026 16:00:41 +0000 We've always thought that Tyrannosaurus rex was an unchallenged apex predator during the dying days of the dinosaurs. But a fresh look at controversial fossils has prompted palaeontology’s biggest-ever U-turn

Antimatter has been transported by road for the first time Tue, 24 Mar 2026 13:30:12 +0000 CERN is working on building an antimatter delivery service. The project passed a big test by successfully transporting 92 antiprotons around a 4-kilometre loop of road

How AI shook the world's largest meeting of physicists Tue, 24 Mar 2026 13:00:47 +0000 Physicists are grappling with how the increasing presence of AI will change the nature of their profession

Adrian Tchaikovsky: 'I try and do interesting aliens' Tue, 24 Mar 2026 11:00:55 +0000 As the science fiction author publishes the latest novel in his Children of Time series, Children of Strife, he talks to Alison Flood about mantis shrimp, the pleasures of sci-fi and why empathy is so important in his writing

Are humans degenerating genetically and getting dumber as a result? Tue, 24 Mar 2026 09:00:33 +0000 Are we evolving to be more stupid? Humans have a relatively high genetic mutation rate, which has been thought to be driving down our physical and mental fitness – but columnist Michael Le Page finds these mutations aren’t the health risk some make them out to be

Genetic clues tell the story of Neanderthals' decline Mon, 23 Mar 2026 19:00:32 +0000 The Neanderthal population shrank during a cold spell around 75,000 years ago, and the loss of genetic diversity may have contributed to their eventual extinction

Warmer ocean is driving the Antarctic sea ice 'regime shift' Mon, 23 Mar 2026 19:00:22 +0000 Since 2016, Antarctic sea ice extent has been declining sharply – now scientists are piecing together how strong winds and warm deep water have played a part in this abrupt transition

The simple questions cracking the hard problem of consciousness Mon, 23 Mar 2026 16:00:19 +0000 Do we all see the same red? Or feel joy and sadness alike? Mapping how our inner experiences relate to one another could finally reveal how physical processes in the brain give rise to consciousness

Mysterious comet disintegration caught by telescope after lucky break Mon, 23 Mar 2026 13:04:25 +0000 Catching a comet in the process of falling apart is difficult, but a coincidence let astronomers see one in more detail than ever before using the Hubble Space Telescope – and revealed a mystery

'Zombie' cells created by transplanting genomes into dead bacteria Mon, 23 Mar 2026 10:47:41 +0000 Researchers have created the first living synthetic bacterium made from non-living parts by killing a bacterial cell and then transplanting the genome of another species into it, blurring the boundary between life and death

Security credentials inadvertently leaked on thousands of websites Mon, 23 Mar 2026 08:00:22 +0000 Researchers identified nearly 10,000 websites where API keys could be found, exposing details that could let attackers access sensitive information

Inside the world’s first antimatter delivery service Sat, 21 Mar 2026 06:00:05 +0000 On Tuesday, CERN will transport antiprotons on a truck for the first time, testing the plan to deliver antimatter by road to research labs across Europe

This neuroscientist says some psychopaths wish they were nicer Wed, 18 Mar 2026 16:00:08 +0000 Abigail Marsh has found that many psychopaths don’t want to be cruel and uncaring, and argues that they deserve support to help them get there

A very serious guide to buying your own humanoid robot butler Tue, 17 Mar 2026 16:00:48 +0000 You can now buy a humanoid robot housekeeper for less than the price of a second-hand car. But before splashing out, there’s something you need to know

You can now buy a DIY quantum computer Sat, 21 Mar 2026 12:00:45 +0000 Qilimanjaro is selling a relatively cheap kit with everything you need for a quantum computer – you just need to be able to put it together

What to read this week: Katrina Manson's terrifying Project Maven Wed, 18 Mar 2026 18:00:00 +0000 It is scarily fascinating to read about the US military's journey into AI warfare in this deeply-researched book. But what happens next, asks Matthew Sparkes

Forget the multiverse. In the pluriverse, we create reality together Mon, 16 Mar 2026 16:00:20 +0000 A radical idea that resolves many quantum paradoxes suggests there is no objective view of reality. How can the cosmos be stitched together from interlocking perspectives?

We’ve spotted a huge asteroid spinning impossibly fast Fri, 20 Mar 2026 17:00:40 +0000 Astronomers have found a 710-metre-wide asteroid that spins once every 1.9 minutes, so fast that it should have spun itself apart

Major leap towards reanimation after death as mammal's brain preserved Fri, 20 Mar 2026 16:19:43 +0000 A pig's brain has been frozen with its cellular activity locked in place and minimal damage. Some believe the same could be done with the brains of people with a terminal illness, so their mind can be reconstructed and they can "continue with their life"

Private company to land on asteroid Apophis as it flies close to Earth Fri, 20 Mar 2026 14:52:28 +0000 Apophis will be visited by multiple spacecraft – including landers – when it skims past Earth in three years

A negative attitude towards ageing is making you age faster Fri, 20 Mar 2026 09:00:58 +0000 We know that a person’s outlook can have a huge effect on their health, and it’s no different when it comes to ageing. Columnist Graham Lawton looks at new evidence of just how powerful our attitude is – and how to use it to age better

New Scientist recommends Cirque du Soleil's insect-themed OVO show Wed, 18 Mar 2026 18:00:00 +0000 The books, TV, games and more that New Scientist staff have enjoyed this week

How worried should you be about ultra-processed foods? Thu, 19 Mar 2026 08:00:05 +0000 We are constantly told to watch out for the health risks of eating ultra-processed food, but should you be worried every time you sit down for a meal? Sam Wong takes a look at the evidence

Mathematician wins 2026 Abel prize for solving 60-year-old mystery Thu, 19 Mar 2026 11:00:15 +0000 Gerd Faltings shocked mathematicians around the world for his 1983 proof of the Mordell conjecture, which brought together seemingly disparate mathematical fields

Captivating space images show how it has inspired us through the ages Wed, 18 Mar 2026 18:00:00 +0000 An upcoming book from presenter and author Dallas Campbell collects both iconic and lesser-known images of space, from illustration to photography

Rebecca Solnit: 'The great majority of people want climate action' Wed, 18 Mar 2026 18:00:00 +0000 Climate activist and author Rebecca Solnit tells Rowan Hooper why she still has hope, even in these "catastrophic" times

Probiotic cream that ramps up heat production could prevent frostbite Thu, 19 Mar 2026 17:07:41 +0000 Tweaking our skin's microbiome via a probiotic cream could prevent frostbite and hypothermia in extreme environments

Physicists create formula for how many times you can fold a crêpe Thu, 19 Mar 2026 10:00:33 +0000 When you fold a flexible material such as a pancake or a tortilla, its behaviour depends on a competition between gravity and elasticity

Fluorescent ruby-like gems have been found on Mars for the first time Wed, 18 Mar 2026 19:00:06 +0000 The Perseverance rover has found tiny crystals that seem to be rubies or sapphires inside pebbles on Mars, where they have never been seen before

It's time to monetise the moon! Definitely! Maybe? Wed, 18 Mar 2026 18:00:00 +0000 Feedback discovers an accounting firm has unveiled its latest "lunar market assessment", which predicts huge profits to be had. Suit up, lunar entrepreneurs!

Maggie Aderin's dream: To walk by the footprints of Neil Armstrong Wed, 11 Mar 2026 18:00:44 +0000 Space scientist Maggie Aderin talks telescopes, neurodiversity and being underestimated with Rowan Hooper on the New Scientist podcast, as her memoir Starchild comes out

Boosting the blood-brain barrier could avert brain damage in athletes Wed, 18 Mar 2026 18:00:24 +0000 The neurodegenerative condition chronic traumatic encephalopathy appears to be driven by damage to the blood-brain barrier due to repetitive head injuries, like those that occur in boxing. This suggests that drugs that strengthen this barrier could prevent or slow the condition

Neanderthals may have treated wounds with antibiotic sticky tar Wed, 18 Mar 2026 18:00:15 +0000 Tar made from birch tree bark is commonly found at Neanderthal sites, and experiments show that it kills some bacteria that cause skin infections

Will war in the Middle East accelerate the clean energy transition? Wed, 18 Mar 2026 16:28:28 +0000 Disruption to shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has led to a spike in oil and natural gas prices, which could spur countries to boost the roll-out of renewable energy and electric vehicles

The mystery of how volcanic lightning happens has been solved Wed, 18 Mar 2026 16:00:44 +0000 When particles in volcanic ash cloud rub together, some pick up positive charge and others negative – now physicists have finally elucidated how these different charges are determined

Ice core reveals low CO2 during warm spell 3 million years ago Wed, 18 Mar 2026 16:00:12 +0000 For the first time, scientists have measured atmospheric gases from the late Pliocene, yielding data that could help to predict the future climate

Psychedelics may be no better than antidepressants for depression Wed, 18 Mar 2026 15:00:18 +0000 Drugs like psilocybin that induce psychedelic effects have shown promise for treating depression. Now, a review of the evidence suggests that they are effective, but no more so than traditional antidepressants

Route-planning AI cut climate-warming contrails on over 100 flights Wed, 18 Mar 2026 14:41:51 +0000 A weather-forecasting AI was used to recommend routes for American Airlines flights between the US and Europe to reduce the formation of contrails, which contribute to global warming

Particle discovered at CERN solves a 20-year-old mystery Tue, 17 Mar 2026 09:00:32 +0000 Physicists working on the LHCb experiment have spotted an elusive and fleeting particle, a heavier and more charming cousin to the proton, that has been sought for decades

Social media is a defective product Tue, 17 Mar 2026 16:21:37 +0000 Two lawsuits are being brought against giant tech firms for the dangers their apps pose to young people. Columnist Annalee Newitz says the outcome of those cases could dramatically change social media for the better

Your partner probably wakes you up at night without you even realising Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:40 +0000 People who share a bed with a partner are woken by them multiple times per night, but don’t remember most of these disturbances

The ancient Goths were an ethnically diverse group Mon, 16 Mar 2026 12:00:54 +0000 Ancient DNA reveals that the Goths of eastern Europe, some of whom would ultimately sack the city of Rome, may have been a mix of peoples from three continents

3I/ATLAS: Interstellar comet has water unlike any in our solar system Tue, 17 Mar 2026 07:00:42 +0000 The levels of a heavy form of hydrogen in 3I/ATLAS are 30 to 40 times higher than in Earth's oceans, suggesting the comet has a cold and distant origin

The asteroid Ryugu has all of the main ingredients for life Mon, 16 Mar 2026 16:00:10 +0000 All five of the canonical nucleobases – the underpinnings of DNA, RNA and life on Earth – have been found in samples from the asteroid Ryugu

Why global warming is accelerating and what it means for the future Mon, 16 Mar 2026 15:00:52 +0000 Scientists disagree whether human-made climate change or natural fluctuations are mostly to blame for worse-than-expected heat in recent years

AI is nearly exclusively designed by men – here's how to fix it Mon, 16 Mar 2026 13:00:20 +0000 With the Trump administration’s attacks on so-called woke AI it is becoming even harder to make the technology we use fairer and more diverse. Leading voices are speaking out, reports Catherine de Lange

How a midlife tune-up could help prepare you for a healthy old age Tue, 10 Mar 2026 17:21:37 +0000 Most of us don’t worry about our health in old age until we get there, but research is increasingly showing that how you live in your mid-50s can have a real impact in your 90s

Single-celled organism with no brain is capable of Pavlovian learning Fri, 13 Mar 2026 14:00:32 +0000 A trumpet-shaped, single-celled organism seems able to predict one thing will follow another, hinting that such associative learning emerged long before multicellular nervous systems

What does it mean if the universe has extra dimensions? Mon, 16 Mar 2026 09:00:04 +0000 Dimensions beyond the four we’re familiar with could solve a host of problems in physics and cosmology. Columnist Leah Crane explores what a higher-dimensional universe might be like – and how we could find out if we live in one

Why are we so obsessed with protein? A new book looks for answers Wed, 11 Mar 2026 18:00:00 +0000 Samantha King and Gavin Weedon's new book Protein digs deep into the nutrient's role in our health. But can it tell you how much you should be eating? Alexandra Thompson explores

A smartphone app can help men last longer in bed Sat, 14 Mar 2026 00:01:45 +0000 In a randomised trial, men who experience premature ejaculation benefitted from using an app to learn techniques for extending intercourse

Frailty sets in far earlier than you’d expect, but you can reverse it Mon, 09 Mar 2026 16:00:48 +0000 We’re learning that frailty can quietly arrive decades before old age, with some people in their 30s or 40s unknowingly in a pre-frail state. There are surprising ways to stay strong – and it’s not all about weight training

Our extinct Australopithecus relatives may have had difficult births Fri, 13 Mar 2026 16:00:45 +0000 Simulations of Australopithecus hominins’ anatomy suggest that when they gave birth, they may have exerted tremendous pressure on their pelvic floors, putting them at risk of tearing

The 3 things you need to know about passwords, from a security expert Fri, 13 Mar 2026 15:00:26 +0000 There are a few simple things you can do to make your digital life much more secure, says cybersecurity expert Jake Moore - follow these tips to tighten up your passwords

We don’t know if AI-powered toys are safe, but they’re here anyway Fri, 13 Mar 2026 00:01:57 +0000 Toys powered by AI show a worrying lack of emotional understanding. But we need to understand the risks and benefits of the technology so the industry can be regulated, not outright banned

Parkinson's disease may reduce enjoyment of pleasant smells Wed, 11 Mar 2026 12:00:41 +0000 The "world smells different" for people with Parkinson's disease, a discovery that could help doctors spot the condition sooner

New Scientist recommends sci-fi novel Under the Eye of the Big Bird Wed, 11 Mar 2026 18:00:00 +0000 The books, TV, games and more that New Scientist staff have enjoyed this week

Why are we so suspicious of do-gooders? Fri, 13 Mar 2026 09:00:44 +0000 A growing body of research shows that we tend to discount a person’s good deeds if they stand to benefit from them. Columnist David Robson explores where this instinct comes from – and whether we should resist it

A glimpse into the rare earth riches of Greenland Wed, 11 Mar 2026 18:00:34 +0000 Photographer Jonas Kako travelled to Greenland to explore how mining for the rare earth elements and minerals that are vital for new green technologies is impacting locals

The race to solve the biggest problem in quantum computing Fri, 13 Mar 2026 07:00:40 +0000 The errors that quantum computers make are holding the technology back. But recent progress in quantum error correction has excited many researchers

How worried should you be about your BMI? Thu, 12 Mar 2026 18:00:59 +0000 Body mass index (BMI) is used as a global standard for measuring health, but does it actually tell you anything about how healthy you are on an individual level? Carissa Wong explains the problems with this flawed tool

Can species evolve fast enough to survive as the planet heats up? Thu, 12 Mar 2026 18:00:29 +0000 The story of a wildflower that adapted to a severe drought in California raises hopes that evolution will come to the rescue of species hit by climate change, but there are limits

Chemistry may not be the 'killer app' for quantum computers after all Thu, 12 Mar 2026 17:00:15 +0000 Two popular quantum computing algorithms for problems in chemistry may have very limited use even as quantum hardware improves

Why drug overdose deaths have suddenly plummeted in the US Thu, 12 Mar 2026 16:00:16 +0000 Fentanyl-related overdose deaths fell by nearly 30 per cent in the space of a year in the US, which could represent a significant turning point in the country's opioid addiction crisis

We’ve only just confirmed that Homo habilis really existed Mon, 09 Mar 2026 18:00:13 +0000 Their species name is well known, but until recently we’ve understood very little for certain about Homo habilis. Columnist Michael Marshall reveals what new fossils are telling us about the hominins that have been considered the first humans

Rumours of a Firefly reboot abound, but should the Serenity fly again? Thu, 12 Mar 2026 11:15:55 +0000 Star Nathan Fillion is stoking rumours that cult western-in-space television series Firefly could be rebooted. Emily H. Wilson realises she is being toyed with – but is still praying for its return

Undisclosed ads on TikTok skirt ban on profiling minors Thu, 12 Mar 2026 10:15:09 +0000 Teenagers are being bombarded with highly targeted commercial content on TikTok, despite an EU law that prohibits profiling minors for advertising

A miniature magnet rivals behemoths in strength for the first time Wed, 11 Mar 2026 18:00:54 +0000 Strong magnets tend to be large and power-hungry, but a new design has produced a powerful magnet that fits in the palm of your hand, making it more practical and affordable

Mathematics is undergoing the biggest change in its history Tue, 10 Mar 2026 12:00:25 +0000 The speed at which artificial intelligence is gaining in mathematical ability has taken many by surprise. It is rewriting what it means to be a mathematician

King penguins are thriving in a warmer climate, but it may not last Wed, 11 Mar 2026 18:00:53 +0000 Longer summers are allowing more king penguin chicks to bulk up and survive the winter, but the penguins' main fishing area is shifting further away as temperatures rise

Why a Peruvian mountain is becoming an 'impossible' particle detector Wed, 11 Mar 2026 16:00:16 +0000 Deep canyons in the Andes are the perfect location to catch the most energetic particles in the universe. Carlos Argüelles-Delgado reveals how these intergalactic envoys could help prove the quantum nature of gravity

Why the world's militaries are scrambling to create their own Starlink Wed, 11 Mar 2026 14:00:47 +0000 The reliable internet connections provided by Starlink offer a huge advantage on the battlefield. But as access is dependent on the whims of controversial billionaire Elon Musk, militaries are looking to build their own version

Start-up is building the first data centre to use human brain cells Tue, 10 Mar 2026 16:55:48 +0000 Cortical Labs is building two data centres that will house its neuron-filled chips. The technology is still in the very early stages of development

Orcas may be to blame for some mass dolphin strandings Wed, 11 Mar 2026 00:01:07 +0000 Two mass strandings involving hundreds of dolphins in Argentina probably happened because the pods were being hunted by orcas, highlighting the role of predators in these mysterious events

I was accused of killing over 100 million rabbits across Australia Tue, 10 Mar 2026 18:00:33 +0000 When New Scientist reporter James Woodford was assigned to a story about a virus designed to kill rabbits, he never expected to be accused of spreading it

Sharing genetic risk scores can unwittingly reveal secrets Tue, 10 Mar 2026 17:00:37 +0000 Statistics that quantify a person’s predisposition to diseases such as diabetes and cancer can be reverse-engineered to reveal the underlying genetic data, prompting privacy concerns

Mystery 'whippet' space explosion is the brightest of its kind Tue, 10 Mar 2026 14:00:27 +0000 A rapidly brightening burst of light called AT 2024wpp, or "the Whippet", is baffling astronomers. One explanation is that it is the result of an exotic star falling into a black hole

Project Hail Mary is a spiritual sibling to The Martian - and it's fab Tue, 10 Mar 2026 13:00:45 +0000 Ryan Gosling stars in the latest adaptation of an Andy Weir novel, another tale of a lone genius battling to survive in space. Bethan Ackerley thoroughly approves

What is a galaxy? That's a surprisingly difficult question to answer Tue, 10 Mar 2026 12:00:50 +0000 Figuring out what really counts as a galaxy could give us insights into dark matter and potentially shake up astrophysics, cosmology and particle physics, says columnist Chanda Prescod-Weinstein

Human populations evolved in similar ways after we began farming Tue, 10 Mar 2026 11:00:12 +0000 An analysis of ancient and modern DNA suggests the extent of convergent evolution in different peoples around the world is even greater than we thought

Why is black rain falling on Iran and how dangerous is it? Mon, 09 Mar 2026 19:11:46 +0000 US-Israeli strikes on oil facilities have caused black rain to fall on Tehran, but the black smoke filling the air is likely to be a bigger health risk

A daily multivitamin may slightly slow rates of ageing Mon, 09 Mar 2026 16:00:29 +0000 Taking a multivitamin every day might slightly slow the rate of ageing, but the extent to which this is relevant to our health is unclear

'Singing' dogs may show the evolutionary roots of musicality Mon, 09 Mar 2026 14:00:21 +0000 Some Samoyeds adjust the pitch of their howls depending on the music being played, showing a form of vocal ability they might have inherited from their wolf ancestors